Belinda Wright: conservation cinema

In October I visited Kipling Camp in Madhya Pradesh. Surrounded by dense forest, leaping Langur monkeys and cautious herds of Chital deer, the compound provides lodging for visitors to the nearby Kanha Tiger Reserve and is also a working field site and residence of Belinda Wright, founder and executive director of Wildlife Protection Society of India. WPS is a leading NGO working to prevent wildlife crimes, such as illegal trafficking of tiger skins and body parts. (See video profile of Belinda above.)

I tagged along with WPS staff on a road campaign that screens conservation-themed movies from the back of a van and projected on buildings in villages outside the park. The idea is to reach villagers who are potentially hostile to conservation efforts by showing compelling footage of beautiful animals engaged in their habitat — raising their young, hunting, playing, and loving. Emotional appeal is a strong driver for change and conservation awareness. After these films WPS staff spread info about anti-poaching rewards programs and how the community can protect their wildlife and forest. Villagers additionally meet with park personnel and WPS staff to air grievances, share information and discuss wildlife issues such as crop damage, poaching and livestock loss. The forum engages villagers as stakeholders in conservation and, besides, everyone loves a good film.